Grammar Notes

Page 1
.... ? ( 1)
Pattern: the negative copula takes a complement optionally followed by particle
~. Thus, NOUN() . Here, an entire phrase is negated: [ ]
? Is it not a case of [ ]?
Here: Isn't it because the scenery is so nice?
.... ( 1)
Pattern: naked infinitive in -(): .
Here: the rivers along the lower reaches of the mountains come together and ...
( 1)
Pattern: [ ]. Note also substantive in -() on ,

ask.
Here: Hae-il's question as to whether or not I knew the reason there were so many
'Love Hotels' in Tumulmri
... ( 1)
Pattern: Resultant state in - is in the state of resulting from, is done.
Here: the western-style ... buildings dotted along the banks of the river
... ( 1)
Pattern: - presume/think/assume simply/only that ...
Here: I had just assumed that the western-style buildings dotted along the banks of the
river were maeunt'ang restaurants
() . (
1)
Pattern: Particle in its meaning of order beginning with; first; starting from. Here
as subject.
Here: already (for starters) the fact that people called this Yangsuri bothered me
? ( 1)
[ ] ....

Pattern: -() () - not have a spare moment to ... ; not have the (spare)

time to ...
Here: "Do you supposed they have the spare time to cast an eye on the scenery
outside?"
, , . ( 1)
Pattern: - only after/only if, only under conditions where . Note that the
here is functioning as a quoting verb, quoting a thought.
Here: Only after I had responded like this did I think to myself, 'Darn!'
Page 2
.

2)
Pattern: Resultant state in - is in the state of resulting from, is done. Note also
- , -() , - , -() from the indirect quotation
pattern in -[ ] , etc., meaning the putative or alleged fact that ... setting
up a comment about the (often unusual. noteworthy) topic marked by - . Here
with .
Here: I guess I had completely forgotten that sitting next to Hae-il, who was driving,
was his wife
. ( 2)
Pattern: Adversity passive with object marker. In morphological passives (like
here) that involve an inalienable possession (e.g., a body part or an emotion) or
something closely linked to the patient, the patient is marked with object marker ~
. Note also the naked infinitive in -(): .
Here: I probably did it because I was enthralled by the beautiful mountain scenery.
(lit.: 'I suffered the snatching away of my spirit')
( 2)
Pattern: - , -() , - , -() from the indirect
quotation pattern in -[ ] , etc., meaning the putative or alleged fact

that ... setting up a comment about the (often unusual. noteworthy) topic marked by . Here with .
Here: the fact that love hotels were situated on the river along the lower reaches of
the mountain

 . (
2)
Pattern: Formal retrospective assertive -() it has been observed that ... ; it is

known that .... ; as we all (or I) know ... ; I hear (have been told) that ... ; I noticed
that ... ; I've discovered (found out) that ... ; apparently, it is the case that ... , etc.
In other words, -() is the Formal Style equivalent to Plain Style -.
Here: apparently, they say that places like these all go into the back alleys and form
back alley business districts
. (
2)
Pattern: pseudo-particle -() just (or the) like (= -()); or even any, some

even if it be [just/only]. Also: - here is not the warning pattern in - but

just transferentive - followed by optional .
Here: "If I were in a place like that for while, even I wouldn't want to step out of
the door onto a main street."
? ( 2)
Pattern: NOUN() ? etc. isn't it the case that it's not a NOUN?
(rhetorical retort).
Here: "But Tumulmri isn't a back alley, is it?"
[ ]
. ( 2)
Pattern: Causative in

- makes (in a way) so that, so that it is or does; so

that one can; in a manner such that; -ly . Also: -() one wonders whether
it might be the case that ... The tentative question in -() functions as a quoted
thought. The basic pattern is Plain Style Direct Quote + - it feels like, as if maybe;

think to oneself that ... Note that, while the clause in front of - looks like and feels
like a quote, you cant put a quotative - after it. In other words, functions
here as a kind of quoting verb, quoting something one thinks to oneself, and thus can
be translated as think.
Here: "I wonder if [the traffic congestion] doesn't cause people psychologically to think
of Tumulmri as being identical with a back alley."

 . ( 2)
Pattern: apperceptive (First Realization) -, which can be seen as a shortened form of
-, meaning well I see ... ! well so it is ... ! so it seems! well Ill be (damned),

hey look! etc.

Here: "Hmm, that makes sense!"
. ( 2)
Pattern: naked infinitive in -(): .
Here: They say they come out carrying something like a plank and cover up the
license plate for you.
.... ( 2)
Pattern: BASE + is like, is as (if). Martin treats this as an abbreviation of the
pattern where is used as a post-modifier, i.e. -() , -() , -
but in any case you should keep them distinct. Here our example is a Past Base.
Here: like the 'joba's in old-time inns would hide the shoes of day-time guests...
. ( 2)
Pattern: apperceptive (First Realization) -, which can be seen as a shorted form of , meaning well I see ... ! well so it is ... ! so it seems! well Ill be (damned),

hey look! etc.

Here: "Interesting!"
. ( 2)
Pattern: - the moment/instant one does it; as soon as ...; no sooner had one

done it, than ... ; just when ...

Here: The moment I get out of Seoul, I feel so placid and peaceful.
. ( 2)
Pattern: [ ] []. In like fashion,
[ ] a feeling ['as if to say'] that we're all

alone.
Here: [A feeling] as though it were just the two of us. A vaguely cozy and intimiate
feeling.
Page 3

 .... ( 3)
Pattern: - -. Infinitive in -

+ auxiliary does something to get it out of

the way (perhaps as a precaution); gets it done, finishes it up (so it will be out of
the way),

does it once and for good, does thoroughly/carefully now (so it will not

have to be done again; does for later/future use or reference . Same as - . Note
also -() () had the foresight to do ('knew [how] to do').
Here: "seeing as you knew already ten years ago to buy yourself a place in a quiet
place like this..."
. ( 3)
Pattern: - , -() , - , -() from the indirect
quotation pattern in -[ ] , etc., meaning the putative or alleged fact

that ... setting up a comment about the (often unusual. noteworthy) topic marked by .
Here: "Because I realized early on that Seoul was no place to live."
. ( 3)
Pattern: - - propose to; intend to do, have the intention to do.
Here: "However much I might want to see my aging parents often, this is the only
way."
... ( 3)
Pattern: -() ()() immediately after doing; right after having done it.
Here: "Right after Kug-il passed away I moved my parents to Seoul, but ... "
? ( 3)
Pattern: [ ]. Also: - ? Blah-blah-blah

is the case, so what can be done about it? Thus-and-such being the case, what's a
person to do?
Here: "If they say they can't handle life in Seoul, what am I supposed to do?"
? ( 3)
Pattern: - ? Blah-blah-blah is the case, so what can be done about it?

Thus-and-such being the case, what's a person to do?

Here: "If they're living in the countryside, I can't see them often, so what am I
supposed to do?"

 . ( 3)
Pattern: - just like one recalls it used to be in the past.
Here: "Let's live with the eaves of our houses across from each other, just like we
used to do in the old days in our hometown."
. . ( 3)
Pattern: Familiar Style (future-presumptive) indicative in -. This style (indicative
, suggestion , question , command , retrospective statement ,
retrospective question and optional -() for the copula and adjectives (-
, ), is used only among grown-ups, e.g., by a senior addressing a grown-up
junior or between grown-up social equals, and is typically used by parents-in-law
addressing their sons-in-law, or by a male supervisor to a male supervisee. It is widely
used among adult male friends who are not close enough to use the intimate style, and
less widely by (or to) women. To make a Familiar style apperceptive (equivalent to , - , etc. in other styles), you add - or - to -.
Here: "That proves you've grown accustomed to life over there." "Can't deny it."
.
( 3)
Pattern: - () does and then realizes (or considers or looks back on the

matter).
Here: "Now that I'm used to Seoul (and think about it), even when I get as far as
just Suwn, my guts feel like they'll explode and I can't stand it."
... ? ( 3)
Pattern: - is adversative ('but') on the Familiar Style indicative ending in -.
Basically, this meaning but can attach to pretty much any final ending.
Here: "Not in a position to ... that's well said. But isn't this the countryside here, too?"
. ( 3)
Pattern: = . The particle adds the sense of as ... as it may

be; ADVERB though it may be.

Here: "Unfortunately, not."
Page 4

 . ( 4)
Pattern: - - also does [in addition to something else]; sure is ... ; is

downright ... ; does all right (it is true); is indeed (I must admit) . The sentential
adverb has the meanings now that I come to think of it, hearing what you say,

as for that, and for that matter.

Here: "Though actually, now that I think about it, that's probably true."
.... ? (
4)
Pattern: - followed by suspensive, emphatic pause; it is most emphatically the

case

that ..., [and not something else].

Here: "Listen to this guy -- I'm coming to see your folks; what -- am I here to look
at real estate?"
..... . ( 4)
Pattern: - while (one is at/about it), when, as, since, as long as (... anyway);

incidental to the occasion of ... Also: Formal retrospective assertive -() it has
been observed that ... ; it is known that .... ; as we all (or I) know ... ; I hear (have
been told) that ... ; I noticed that ... ; I've discovered (found out) that ... ;
apparently, it is the case that ... , etc. In other words, -() is the Formal Style
equivalent to Plain Style -.
Here: "You know -- as long as you're here. Like they say, the archer wipes his nose
as long as he's got his bow at full draw anyway."
, , .
( 4)
Pattern: - the moment/instant one does it; as soon as ...; no sooner had one

done it, than ... ; just when ... Note also - think to oneself, 'Aha, I hadn't
realized it before, but now I see that ... The basic pattern is Plain Style Direct Quote
+ - it feels like, as if maybe; think to oneself that ... Note that, while the clause in
front of - looks like and feels like a quote, you cant put a quotative - after it.
In other words, functions here as a kind of quoting verb, quoting something one
thinks to oneself, and thus can be translated as think.
Here: The moment we entered the Tumulmri valley, I thought to myself, 'Hae-il sure
has a good eye for these things'.

 ( 4)
Pattern: - there is reason to expect; it is (or seems) reasonable that

... ; it can be expected that ... ; it ought (it is supposed) to be that ....
Here: the width of the farming fields usually bears a close relationship to the scale of
the farmhouses
. ( 4)
Pattern: - - be incredibly or unbelievably ... Cf. - - with the same
meaning.
Here: the farmhouses that met my gaze here and there were shabby beyond
description
[ ] ...

( 4)

Pattern: NOUN() NOUN()[ ] while saying that it is a

NOUN ...
Resultant state in - is in the state of resulting from, is done.
Here: as she explained to me that it was a valley where slash-and-burn farmers used
to live, [Hae-il's wife] ...
, ( 4)
Pattern: - appear to be, look as if, look like. Also: Resultant state in -
is in the state of resulting from, is done.
Here: because it looked like there was little chance of development, they had bought
the farmhouse in that valley
[ ] . (
4)
Pattern: Resultant state in - is in the state of resulting from, is done. Also:
NOUN NOUN if one is to claim such-and-such is a NOUN, then so be it.
Here: [Hae-il's wife] remarked that if the fact that the front and the rear were
blocked by mountains was a fault, then so be it.
, . (
4)
Pattern: NOUN-() () there is no reason to call it NOUN; there's

no point in calling it NOUN; might as well not call it NOUN.

Here: but since it was because of that defect that there was little chance of
development, it couldn't really be called a defect
, .

4)
Pattern: Resultant state in - is in the state of resulting from, is done. Also: -
() one gets the feeling that one is ...-ing.
Here: after bowing in greeting and sitting down, I suddenly felt as though I were
sitting in yet another Tumulmri.
( 4)
Pattern: NOUN judging by NOUN; on the basis of NOUN.
Here: it was true, judging both by the children they had raised together
. (
4)
Pattern: NOUN judging by NOUN; on the basis of NOUN.
Here: and it was also true, judging by the both the length of time they had lived and
the depth of the sorrow they had suffered
30.

4)
Pattern: NOUN1 NOUN2 whether it be NOUN1 or NOUN2 [it makes no
difference].
Here: some 30 years had passed since both our family and theirs had turned our backs
on our hometown
, 30
. ( 4)
Pattern: -() (+ ) prospective modifier plus post-modifier nothing

but, only, constantly; all it/one does/is is... . Note also time word + after
only (marks passage of time); within, after a passage of ... . Also: -

the

calculation, conjecture, supposition; accounting (for) is that ... ; (judgment based on)
appearances, to all appearances/indications; One might say that ... ; Basically, ... ; the
least one could say is that ... .
Here: and even though we met often, we only ever met outside, so basically I was

meeting the three brothers' parents for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Page 5
.
( 5)
Pattern: VERB-() VERB- one has VERBed as much as there is to be

VERBed; one has VERBed all there is to VERB. Note also - gradually (comes
in doing); comes up (along); starts (has started)becoming/doing; has/had been doing.
Here: saying that he had heard just about enough, both of the things he wanted to
hear and didn't, the old man resolutely refused a hearing aid
. ( 5)
Pattern: Resultant state in - is in the state of resulting from, is done.
Here: the imposing air of a man had used to say he wasn't afraid of anyting was still
there
. ( 5)
Pattern: - even though it is the case that ...
Here: even though he was 80, his back was straight and upright
.
( 5)
Pattern: -(), -(), -(), -()() its

not so much that A, rather ... ; it's not so much a case of [saying] A as it is that ...
Here: his thick, white eyebrows looked not so much like eyebrows as if somebody had
taken handfulls of white fur and stuck them over his eyes.
.... ..... (
5)
Pattern: Resultant state in - is in the state of resulting from, is done. Also:
rhetorical question in ... How could one possibly ever ... ? (Answer: never.)
Here: well, the features from your youth are still there, but ... even if I were to meet
you in a strange I doubt I would recognize you.
(
5)

10

Pattern: - there is reason to expect; it is (or seems) reasonable that ... ; it

can be expected that ... ; it ought (it is supposed) to be that ....

Here: Usually when a person starts to go deaf it is normal for their pronunciation to
grow hard and for their voice to grown louder
. ? ( 5)
Pattern: - is an even more colloquial equivalent of -() is it true that

... ?; I hear that ... -- is it true?

Here: "So -- I understand you live in the same town as our Kug-il in the States?"
? ( 5)
Pattern: -? -[ ]? Do you recall it being the case that

somebody said that ... ?

Here: "Does he say the business is going well?"
. ( 5)
Pattern: - only if (marks a reinforced contingency or prerequisite for a main
clause, one or the other of which is unlikely, unexpected, or anticipated to be d ifficult

or unpleasant). Note also - - does all right (it is true) but; is indeed (I must
admit) but.
Here: "Though with the booze business, nothing much good can come of it even if it
does do well."
....... , . ( 5)
Pattern: - -[ ]. Note also the way that honorific -()has been frozen inside the noun [esteemed] elder.
Here: "... Yes. He says it's doing well, sir."
. ( 5)
Pattern: particle () as an emphatic synonym of -() in certain of its
meanings:(means) with, by, by means of, through, using; (constituency, content) made

of, formed from, full of/with (made) out of; (cause) for, as, with, from, because of,
due to; (result) as a consequence of, with, in accordance with; (state, status) as, being;
(manner) as, in, with. Here on this [thing/one]. Also: -()/ as, just as,
just as it is (was); in accordance with.
Here: And with this, I, too, started to lie, just as Hae-il had instructed me to do.

11

 .
( 5)
Pattern: naked infinitive in -(): . Also: - instead of ...-ing ... Note
also apperceptive (First Realization) - well I see ... ! well so it is ... ! so it

seems! well Ill be (damned), hey look! etc.

Here: "I'm getting too old -- here I am asking after my own son without asking how
things are with you first."
... . ( 5)
Pattern: Dialect WH-question in -? The processive modifier -() routinely
tensifies following tensifiable consonants, hence - here comes out as -. Middle
Korean and modern southeastern dialects of Korean form yes-no questions with and
'wh-questions' (questions with a question word like who, where, what, why, how,
when) with . Here the - is triggered by . In the mouths of elderly people,
this ending can also simply sound old-fashioned.
Here: "'Andy' and 'Tammy' ... why the heck did they give them names like that?'
.

5)
Pattern: diminutive - on a personal name meaning something like s o-and-so, whom

we all know and love. Also: () from.

Here: Hae-il's mother hastened to divert the topic of conversation away from Kug-il.
Page 6
... ( 6)
Pattern: Particle () only if it be; if (it be), when it comes to; even, indeed . Note
also - assume it is the case that ...
Here: "Even if we grant that Kug-il can't make it over because of the business..."
... ( 6)
Pattern: -() I had hoped that... but; it should have ..., but; I wish that..., but
Here: "I was sort of hoping that Andy's mom could make it over with the kids one
more time..."
. (

12

 6)
Pattern: , the plain/low form of reflexive self. Note also Retrospective sequential -
as now it has been observed that ... ; when (now/then) ... ; since (now/then) ...; ...

and (now/then); ... but (now/then). The form in - is a kind of 'zoom in' form,
and usually implies a marked or abrupt contrast between the first and second clauses:

whereupon. Technically speaking, - on a past base is always first person (I or

we), while - on plain bases is for other persons.
Here: "The year before last when her father passed away he came over by herself,
but since then we haven't heard anything."

."

6)
Pattern: Oblique paired questions in - ... - whether ... or ... One can imagine
that a has been dropped.
Here: "It's hard to know if can't hear or chooses not to hear what he doesn't want to
hear, but anyhow, he's like a brick wall."
Page 7
. ( 7)
Pattern: naked infinitives in -(): , .
Here: fleeing this awkward scene, I hastened outside.
.
( 7)
Pattern: -()/ as, just as, just as it is (was); in accordance with. Note also
transferentive - indicating a change or shift of action or state (here on a past
base).
Here: as I was coming out the wicker gate, habit took out a cigarette, lit it and placed
it in my mouth, but no sooner had I done this than I hurriedly removed it again.
, . ( 7)
Pattern: Familiar Style command in -. This style (indicative , suggestion ,
question , command , retrospective statement , retrospective question
and optional -() for the copula and adjectives (-, ), is used only
among grown-ups, e.g., by a senior addressing a grown-up junior or between grown-up

13

social equals, and is typically

used by parents-in-law addressing their sons-in-law, or

by a male supervisor to a male supervisee. It is widely used among adult male friends
who are not close enough to use the intimate style, and less widely by (or to) women.
To make a Familiar style apperceptive (equivalent to -, - , etc. in other
styles), you add - or - to -.
Here: "Smoke -- go ahead and smoke."
, .... ( 7)
Pattern: Dialect WH-question in -? The processive modifier -() routineless
tensifies following tensifiable consonants, hence - here comes out as -. Middle
Korean and modern southeastern dialects of Korean form yes-no questions with and
'wh-questions' (questions with a question word like who, where, what, why, how,
when) with . Here the - is triggered by . In the mouths of elderly people,
this ending can also simply sound old-fashioned.
Here: "Anyhow, listen -- how can we ever repay you?"
( 7)
Pattern: -()() just as it is or did, (in) the original state of ... Note also
Retrospective sequential - as now it has been observed that ... ; when

(now/then) ... ; since (now/then) ...; ... and (now/then); ... but (now/then) . The form
in - is a kind of 'zoom in' form, and usually implies a marked or abrupt contrast
between the first and second clauses: whereupon. Technically speaking, - on a past
base is always first person (I or we), while - on plain bases is for other persons.
Here: Hae-il's mother, standing as she was beside the wicker gate in the stone wall,
started to sob, whereupon ...
. ( 7)
Pattern: post-modifier [-(), -, -, -, -] the uncertain fact

whether. When left hanging like this in mid-sentence, you can interpret the pattern as
having left out a following - : it may have been the case that, i.e.

perhaps [it is/was] because...

Here: she must have had trouble keeping her balance, as she crouched down and
leaned her back against the stone wall
[ ] .... ( 7)
Pattern: NOUN()? Whadda 'ya mean NOUN? Or: Are you kidding -- ? The

14

effect is to throw back at your interlocutor what s/he has just said and identify it as
a pointless or unanswerable question. With verbs, the pattern is VERB -()?
Here: "Repay? Repay what? -- Don't be silly."
, . ( 7)
Pattern: modifier + ( ) under these somewhat adverse circumstances; given

these somewhat unfortunate circumstances. This is an example of what Martin calls the
use of the accusative to "mark an antithetical clause that ends in a modifier + ;

although, but; (it's) too bad (that/yet ...), in spite of the fact that ...
Here: "I'm just sorry that it took so long for me to come and see you like this."
? (
7)
Pattern: counterfactual conditional in - had it not been the case that ... [but it
was].
Here: "If you hadn't been there, how would we have taken care of things with Kugil?"
, ..... (
7)
Pattern: particle () only if it be; if (it be), when it comes to; even, indeed . Note
also the way the proverb is cited: blah-blah-blah, using the - form, as if to say,

It's a case of ... blah-blah-blah.

Here: "Us? We don't know our way around, so it's like the proverbial peddlar with
the broken leg who can only shout inside the city walls..."
. (
7)
Pattern: SUBJECT VERB- VERB-() if anybody has VERB-ed, then

it's SUBJECT [not somebody else]. Note also -() () there is no need
for anybody to ... ; one mustn't ...
Here: "If anybody has incurred a debt, it's me -- you really shouldn't think that way."
. ( 7)
Pattern: -() . Prospective modifier -() + post-modifier expectation,

anticipation; intention, plan + - (alternatively, you can think of the post-modifier

15

as + -()), here with the - of -(). The literal sense of this pattern is:

it is the [reasonable] expectation that someone/something will do or be.

Here: "Well, that was probably because he was lonely."
...
( 7)
Pattern: - I'm sure he was sincere in saying that he would do

it, but ...

Here: "I'm sure he was sincere in saying that he would tell him, but Hae-il's decision
not to relay the news of his brother's death [doesn't seem to have been the greatest
of decisions]
Page 8
. ( 8)
Pattern: - is the case that (as one recalls) did it. I.e., a long-winded, more
round-about equivalent to just -.
Here: "So that's why I didn't tell him."
, . (
8)
Pattern: VERB-() VERB meaning VERB as much as one is going to VERB;

VERB as much as one is likely to VERB. Note also adverb / seeing as one
has already been/done . . . [then why not ... ?] Note also -() - to hope that,
to wish that ... and - () just as it is doing; (in) the original state of still doing.
Here: "I was hoping that this old gentleman who had lived as long as he was going to
live would pass away without ever knowing."
... ( 8)
Pattern: -() () had no idea that such-and-such would be the case.
Here: "But I had no idea he would live on as spry as this..."
,
.... ( 8)
Pattern: -() if (or since) one is to do; if it is arranged that; if one is

obliged to; if it's a matter of doing; as long as one is about it, as long as you're at it.
Here: "As long as his hand isn't broken, why can't he write a letter with his own

16

hand instead of printing it...?"

. ( 8)
Pattern: = for the plain/low form of reflexive self. Also: - adverbial: (in a

way) so that, so that it is or does; so that one can; in a manner such that; -ly.
Here: "Hae-il made a point of not installing a telephone in this house so that news of
his brother wouldn't reach the old man's ears."
. ( 8)
Pattern: - -[ ] proposing or suggesting to do.
Here: "Lately the old man has been really insistent about hooking up a phone line."
... ( 8)
Pattern: Retrospective sequential - as now it has been observed that ... ; when

(now/then) ... ; since (now/then) ...; ... and (now/then); ... but (now/then) . The form
in - is a kind of 'zoom in' form, and usually implies a marked or abrupt contrast
between the first and second clauses: whereupon. Technically speaking, - on a past
base is always first person (I or we), while - on plain bases is for other persons.
Here: "And to think he was so dead against the idea of a hearing aid before..."
... (
8)
Pattern: - for -[ ] if one suggests ... or, by extension, if one intends to
(equivalent to -() -()[ ].
Here: "Well, if I'm going to phoning Kug-il and listening to his voice, I guess I'll be
needing a hearing aid..."
. ( 8)
Pattern: dialect for 'standard' () only if it be; if (it be), when it comes to;

even, indeed. In other words, is the dialect equivalent of 'standard' as for

me (emphatic).
Here: "I just have no idea what to do."
.
( 8)

17

[]
Pattern: Retrospective sequential - as now it has been observed that ... ; when

(now/then) ... ; since (now/then) ...; ... and (now/then); ... but (now/then) . The form
in - is a kind of 'zoom in' form, and usually implies a marked or abrupt contrast
between the first and second clauses: whereupon. Technically speaking, - on a past
base (, as in our example here) is always first person ( I or we), while
(- on plain bases) is for other persons. Note also + NEGATIVE (or implied
negative) meaning very; not a little, to no small extent, quite, extremely, terribly.
Finally, note also Formal retrospective assertive -() it has been observed

that ... ; it is known that .... ; as we all (or I) know ... ; I hear (have been told) that
... ; I noticed that ... ; I've discovered (found out) that ... ; apparently, it is the case
that ... , etc. In other words, -() is the Formal Style equivalent to Plain Style
-.
Here: "I had a chance to observe how he handled things when he came over to the
States and boy was he well-organized."
Page 9
. ( 9)
Pattern: dialect for 'standard' () only if it be; if (it be), when it comes to;

even, indeed. In other words, is the dialect equivalent of 'standard' as for

me (emphatic).
Here: "I just wish it would end soon."
. ( 9)
Pattern: ... no sooner does it/one do or be, than ... ; all one/it has to

or be is ... (and

do

then some result); whenever ... Note also Mimetic + - does

repeatedly/continuously; does and does; doing, does on and on, does (keeps doing) it
away; does again and again, does over and over again.
Here: "As soon as somebody says they're coming from Seoul, my heart is in my
stomach all day long."
. (
9)
Pattern: Postnoun the group, all of ... ; so-and-so and his/her/their group . This
makes an explicit plural for nouns referring to people; it is also used in combination
with the

synonyms and : , , , , we/us.

18

Note also NOUN() except for NOUN, excepting NOUN; other than NOUN,

outside of NOUN.
Here: "That's why we don't let anybody come here to Tumulm ri except for Hae-il
and his wife."
. ( 9)
Pattern: VERB- VERB- when one VERBs, one VERBs in a big way;

talk about VERBing, but this is a really extreme case.

Here: "Talk about heartache -- I've got it bad."
.

9)
Pattern: - before even doing it.
Here: Even before my cigarette had burned down to the end I could hear the old
man's bellowing from inside.
. ( 9)
Pattern: -(), -(), -(), -()() its

not so much that A, rather ... ; it's not so much a case of [saying] A as it is that ...
Note also modifier + () (i.e. -() , -() , - ) is like, is as

(if) is like, is as (if).

Here: It wasn't so much fused with anger as it was an angry voice being tried out on
purpose just for its own sake.
.
( 9)
Pattern: -() no sooner than ... ; as soon as ... ; scarcely has one

finished ...-ing, than ...

Here: "He wants to know why everybody goes outside just as soon as they've put
down they're spoons."
..... ( 9)
Pattern: -() for fear lest ...
Here: "I get so nervous that my brother-in-law will come up in conversation..."
... ( 9)

19

Pattern: Particle () only if it be; if (it be), when it comes to; even, indeed . Note
also -() all one has to do is ... and that's that/that's it.
Here: "With us, we just eat a few meals, go back to Seoul, and that's it, but ... "
, , . ( 9)
Pattern: - -[ ] meaning when I told him that ... [then ...]. Also:
. Korean has at least three levels of reflexive pronoun meaning one's self:
LOW Polite (, ) Honorific . Also: -()() -()[
]().
Here: "When I told him you had gone out to smoke, he said for you to smoke in his
presence, wouldn't you know."
Page 10
, . ( 10)
Pattern: sentential adverb come to think of it ... Also: mild surprise form
in -().
Here: "Actually, come to think of it, I don't see Myng-il anywhere."
... ( 10)
Pattern: - -[ ] they say that ... (and I could elaborate
further or else need further elaboration).
Here: "Apparently, one of his friends runs a big kalbi restaurant in Manguri..."
.... .
( 10)
Pattern: Oblique question in - the uncertain fact of doing; whether it is doing,

wonder whether (how, what, ... ) (here paired with question word ). Note also
Formal retrospective assertive -() it has been observed that ... ; it is known

that .... ; as we all (or I) know ... ; I hear (have been told) that ... ; I noticed
that ... ; I've discovered (found out) that ... ; apparently, it is the case that ... , etc.
In other words, -() is the Formal Style equivalent to Plain Style -.
Here: "The amount of leftovers that comes out of that place... it's enough to feed
twenty dogs on."
.... ( 10)
Pattern: -() () after doing. Note also oblique question in - the uncertain

20

fact of doing; whether it is doing, wonder whether (how, what, ... ) (here paired with
question word ).
Here: "Ever since sending his oldest son far away, he's been so jealous of his kids.."
. ( 10)
[]
Pattern: - (/) after ...-ing. Note also -() . Note also prospective
modifier -() + post-modifier expectation, anticipation; intention, plan + -
(alternatively, you can think of the post-modifier as + -()), here with the -
of -(). The literal sense of this pattern is: it is the [reasonable] expectation that

someone/something will do or be.

Here: "Once Father dies, he'll likely settle down in Seoul."
....
.... ( 10)
Pattern: - does and then realizes (or considers or looks back on the matter) .
Also: -() wait for something/somebody to do/be. Note also - -() to show final development of an action: ends up doing, finally does, gets

around to doing, ultimately does.

Here: "But now that I say that ... I've ended up sounding like a daughter-in-law
waiting for her father-in-law to die."
. ( 10)
Pattern: - - does all right (it is true) but; is indeed (I must admit) but followed
by adversative -() does/is but; though it is/does; admittedly . . . but.
Here: old though it was, the farmhouse was in an excellent spot.
. ( 10)
Pattern: - appear to be, look as if, look like.
Here: didn't look like it would be a problem
( 10)
Pattern: prospective modifier -() + post-modifier expectation, anticipation;

intention, plan + - (alternatively, you can think of the post-modifier as + ()), here with the - of -(). The literal sense of this pattern is: it is the

[reasonable] expectation that someone/something will do or be.

21

Here: facing due south would have been absolutely necessary in the old days because
of illumination and heating, but
. ( 10)
Pattern: -() one wonders whether it might be the case that ... The
tentative question in -() functions as a quoted thought. The basic pattern is
Plain Style Direct Quote + - it feels like, as if maybe; think to oneself that ... Note
that, while the clause in front of - looks like and feels like a quote, you cant put
a quotative - after it. In other words, functions here as a kind of quoting
verb, quoting something one thinks to oneself, and thus can be translated as think.
Here: I wondered if it was really necessary to insist on a south-facing house
.
( 10)
Pattern: naked infinitive in -(): . Also:

modifier + - (i.e. -()

, -(), - ) is like, is as (if).

Here: it looked like there wouldn't be any problem if they changed the direction so
that it sat facing toward the mouth of the valley when they renovated
. ( 10)
Pattern: -() () after ...-ing, reinforced with particle () only if it be; if

(it be), when it comes to; even, indeed .

Hence, -() means only

after ...-ing; not until ...

Here: only after his mother had disappeared into the inner quarters did Hae-il come
outside
Page 11
. ( 11)
Pattern: time elapsed pattern in -() () TIME() . Also: adverb +
negative not yet completed/not

entirely/not quite [finished]. Also: - appear

to be, look as if, look like.

Here: in the fields on the hills there were many young trees that looked like it hadn't
been even two years since they were planted
... (
11)

22

Pattern: -() ()() immediately after doing; right after having done it.
Here: "Right after the whole thing with Kug-il happened, I was fixing up the house
with a mind to moving my folks here when ... "
. ( 11)
Pattern: Formal retrospective assertive -() it has been observed that ... ; it is

known that .... ; as we all (or I) know ... ; I hear (have been told) that ... ; I noticed
that ... ; I've discovered (found out) that ... ; apparently, it is the case that ... , etc.
In other words, -() is the Formal Style equivalent to Plain Style -.
Here: "There was a persimmon tree covering so much of the yard that it had to go."
... ? (
11)
Pattern: NOUN() ? Isn't it a case of NOUN? (rhetorical question). The
NOUN here is the entire nominalized clause in .
Here: "Persimmons these days ... anyhow, it's not like they have much commercial
value, right?"
...
( 11)
Pattern: -. Placing the after - forces the "and [then]..." reading of -, as
opposed to the "and [also]..." reading. In other words, it means "when..., ...then; upon
doing," but emphasizing the consequence. Note also Retrospective sequential - as

now it has been observed that ... ; when (now/then) ... ; since (now/then) ...; ... and
(now/then); ... but (now/then). The form in - is a kind of 'zoom in' form, and
usually implies a marked or abrupt contrast between the first and second clauses:

whereupon. Technically speaking, - on a past base (, as in our example

here) is always first person ( I or we), while (- on plain bases) is for
other person.
Here: "But after chopping it down, I happened to look down at the stump and counted
the rings -- "
? ( 11)
Pattern: NOUN() ? Wouldn't you know it -- it was a case of NOUN!
(rhetorical exclamation). The NOUN here is the entire nominalized clause in
.

23

Here: "Wouldn't you know it -- the persimmon tree was the same age as me!"
. ( 11)
Pattern: Oblique question in -() the uncertain fact of doing; whether it is doing,

wonder

whether (how, what, ... ) (here paired with question word ). Here: I

was so ashamed. Or (lit.:) You have no idea how ashamed I felt.

. ( 11)
Pattern: as the lowest equivalent of retroflexive self, where the options are (in
order of speech level, from highest to lowest): , and in the singular, and
, and in the plural. Also: Noun (/) forget NOUN

-- (all I care about is...) / who cares about NOUN -- (I just wish ...); let alone
NOUN. Also: -() one wonders whether it might be the case that ... The
tentative question in -() functions as a quoted thought. The basic pattern is
Plain Style Direct Quote + - it feels like, as if maybe; think to oneself that ... Note
that, while the clause in front of - looks like and feels like a quote, you cant put
a quotative - after it. In other words, functions here as a kind of quoting
verb, quoting something one thinks to oneself, and thus can be translated as think.
Here: "I thought to myself, [if I don't plant a tree] my kids will never be able to rest
in the shade of a tree the same age as them, let alone pick persimmons to eat from
it."
( 11)
Pattern: - - on a transitive verb implies that the action comes about naturally, and
in such a way that the agent or subject has little or no control over the process of
becoming. Alternatively, the form in - - implied that the action came about, and
that we don't really care who the agent was. Note also -() even after

doing.
Here: even after returning to the wooden platform with the drinking table all set up
on it
. ( 11)
Pattern: - even (indeed) so that; also/either so that. Cf. other adverbs in -:
unfortunately, regrettably, sad to say, unfortunately.
Here: Hae-il, rather clumsily, kept talking about real estate

24


. ( 11)
Pattern: projective -

to the point where, until (a result); so that . Note also -

meaning literally it won't do if one doesn't do it , hence, one has to

do it; one feels obliged to do it.

Here: I had to take issue with him as to whether or not he had the right to keep
news of his brother's death from reaching his father's ears
Page 12
, ?
( 12)
Pattern: - () just as it is doing; (in) the original state of still doing. Note also (): modifier [-(), -, -, -, -] + post-modifier

the

question of/whether.
Here: "Do you think your father will pass away without ever knowing that Kug-il has
left this world?"
... ( 12)
Pattern: - contracted from -[ ] I recall that somebody said that ...

(and so ...) ; apparently, ... (and so ...) ; apparently, they say that ... (and so ...).
Here: "They say that you have to tell twenty lies just to keep one going..."
... ( 12)
Pattern: -() () - VERB-ing becomes a habit; one gets into the habit of

VERBing. Note also - /- perhaps because; maybe that is why.

You can interpret the pattern as having left out a following - it may

have been the case that, i.e., perhaps [it is/was] because...
Here: "I don't know if it's because I've grown accustomed to thinking American-style,
but ..."
.....
( 12)
Pattern: adverb is used to set up rhetorical questions with a meaning like

surely .... [not]. here is functioning as a verb of quotation, quoting a thought.

Here: "You had told me you hadn't told your father, but I had never imagined that

25

right up to now [you still wouldn't have ...]"

. ( 12)
Pattern: -() (the uncertain fact) whether it will be or do. Here followed by
maybe, perhaps, may do/be. Note that -() can go on past bases,
too: -. At first blush, this looks like an unlikely juxtaposition of prospective () + processive -, but is in fact an early (and still uncorrected) error on the
parts of the drafters of the 1933 Unified Hangul Orthography.

In origin, this was -

() -() -() -() -(), and owes

more to sloppy orthography in the premodern period than anything else. Nowadays it
is used as a stylistic variant of -.
Here: "Who knows -- maybe he could have actually consoled us, too."
, . (
12)
Pattern: - () just as it is doing; (in) the original state of still doing . Note also
() ...-() (lit.: one doesn't know whether) maybe, perhaps it

might be the case that.

Here: "I might end up dying without ever knowing myself that verdict that all my
family knew."
<>
... ( 12)
Pattern: - contracted from -[ ] I recall that somebody said that ... ;

apparently, ... ; apparently, they say that ... .

Here: "I remember I heard that the Chinese guy who ran the liquor store in the next
town over got attached by robbers..."
,.... ( 12)
Pattern: A-() ... B-() [] [] [no matter] (whether) one does

A or B, it's all the same; whether one does A or B it makes no difference.

Here: "saying that it was all the same whether he got shot and died or drank himself
to death ... "
? ( 12)
Pattern: - () having said that . . . ; just because . . . [doesn't mean that ...].

26

Note also - -[ ]?
Here: "Did somebody ever say that just because you drink you automatically get liver
disease?"
. ( 12)
Pattern: particle () as an emphatic synonym of -() in certain of its
meanings:(means) with, by, by means of, through, using; (constituency, content) made

of, formed from, full of/with (made) out of; (cause) for, as, with, from, because of,
due to; (result) as a consequence of, with, in accordance with; (state, status) as, being;
(manner) as, in, with.
Here: "I guess he just drank himself to death, then."
Page 13
... ( 13)
Pattern: -() () not have the guts to ...
Here: "Well, it's one of those businesses where if you don't have the guts to carry a
pistol..."
? ( 13)
Pattern: 'past-future' in -- meaning was likely the case that did/was.
Here: "I guess he put up with a lot of nagging from my sister-in-law, eh?"
? ( 13)
Pattern: () from.
Here: "Did you ever hear anything from your sister-in-law?"
? . ( 13)
Pattern: - () never VERBs; hardly ever VERBs.
Here: "You mean, did she contact me? She never called me unless I called her first."
... ( 13)
Pattern:

-()

().

suppose/fear/expect)

...

The

will

-()/-()

do/be,

and

the

lends

the

-()

sense

lends

the

of

sense

of 'imminent elaboration' (one could say more, but ...).

Here: "But that's not the way to do things for somebody with aging parents-in-law..."

27

(I

 . (
13)
Pattern: time elapsed pattern in -() () TIME() . Note also -

gradually (goes on doing); keeps growing (getting to be, becoming).

Here: "It's been nearly three years since his oldest son dies, and because of you, he
doesn't know."
? ( 13)
Pattern: honorific Semi-formal -(). Here the sudden switch to implies the
speaker is on guard and potentially belligerent (but he maintains the honorific for his
).
Here: "What are you trying to say?"
? ( 13)
Pattern: -() - to hope that, to wish that ...
Here: "Is that what you want me to do, too?"
Page 14
. . ( 14)
Pattern: Plain Style retrospective assertive - it has been observed that ... ; it is

known that .... ; as we all (or I) know ... ; I hear (have been told) that ... ; I noticed
that ... ; I've discovered (found out) that ... ; apparently, it is the case that ... , etc.
Here: "I confirmed with him directly whether it was true. He didn't deny it."
. ( 14)
Pattern: - contracted from -[ ] I recall that somebody said that ... ;

apparently, ... ; apparently, they say that ... .

Here: "I recall him saying he had two daughters from his American wife."
? ? ( 14)
Pattern: VERB -()? Whadda 'ya mean VERB? Or: Are you kidding -- ? The
effect is to throw back at your interlocutor what s/he has just said and identify it as
a pointless or unanswerable question.
Here: "In that case, what happens to Andy and Tammy?" "What do you mean, 'what
happens?'?"

28

, .
( 14)
Pattern: A-() ... B-() [] [] [no matter] (whether) one does

A or B, it's all the same; whether one does A or B it makes no difference.

Here: "Freshman and sophomore years it's obligatory to live on campus, so it makes no
difference if he has a family or not."
. ( 14)
Pattern: NOUN judging by the standards of NOUN. Note also

apperceptive

(First Realization) - well, I see that such-and-such must/will likely be the

case ... ! well Ill be (damned), hey look! etc.

Here: "In terms of things here, that would make her in between third year of middle
school and first year of high school."
.
( 14)
Pattern: NOUN be just as ... as NOUN; be every bit as much as NOUN .
Also: -() impression to the effect that will do/be ... (in origin,
from -() [ ] ).
Here: "I got the impression that their mother's remarriage would be every bit as much
as shock as their father's death."
. ( 14)
Pattern: particle () as, for, in the capacity of. Also: double negative in -
- could/can not but; could/can not help

... -ing.
Here: "For my part, I can't not tell you."
. ( 14)
Pattern: - the best thing to do would be to ... ; the best option would be

to ...
Here: "It think it would be good for you to go over once and check in on the kids."
..... . ( 14)
Pattern: - is adversative ('but') on the Casual Polite Style indicative ending in
- -. Basically, this meaning but can attach to pretty much any final

29

ending.
Here: "Sure, but ... somehow it leaves a bad taste in my mouth."
? ( 14)
Pattern: -() ? Should one have done?; Did one err in not ...-ing? Cf.
also the similar -() should have done; erred in not ...-ing.
Here: "Should I have just kept it to myself?"
, ?
( 14)
Pattern: () from. Note also -() ? Should one have done?;

Did one err in not ...-ing? Cf. also the similar -() should have
done; erred in not ...-ing.
Here: "Should I have kept quiet until you heard directly from your sister-in-law what
you were bound to find about anyway?"
.... ( 14)
Pattern: -type epithet in ... This wretched ...
Here: "Life sucks..."
. ( 14)
Pattern: - , -() , - , -() from the indirect
quotation pattern in -[ ] , etc., meaning the putative or alleged fact

that ... setting up a comment about the (often unusual. noteworthy) topic marked by . Here followed by particle () about (so much), approximately; (of a)

caliber; so much of, of that extent (often with denigration/pejoration: the piddlin',
insignificant likes of).
Here: "I knew that nothing good was going to come of all this, too."
. .
( 14)
Pattern: - functions as a kind of vulgarizing, pejorative finalizer (a more
vulgar equivalent of ).
Here: "That's just the way things are in the US. And since that's where everybody
goes, they all end up that way."

30

 -- ... ( 14)
Pattern: diminutive - on a personal name meaning something like s o-and-so, whom

we all know and love. Note also: -() only know how to ...
Here: "All she knew was how to convince Kug-il to emigrate..."

Page 15
. (
15)
Pattern: Plain Style Quote + - it feels like, as if maybe; think to oneself that ... .
Here: "I remember realizing that she had no idea how to take into consideration the
hurt that Kug-il would suffer there."
. (
15)
Pattern: - followed by suspensive, emphatic pause; it is most emphatically the

case

that ..., [and not something else].

Here: "She only knew how to cut down the tree -- not count the rings. That's how I
remember her being."
, , . (
15)
Pattern: -() one wonders whether it might be the case that ... The
tentative question in -() functions as a quoted thought. The basic pattern is
Plain Style Direct Quote + - it feels like, as if maybe; think to oneself that ... Note
that, while the clause in front of - looks like and feels like a quote, you cant put
a quotative - after it. In other words, functions here as a kind of quoting
verb, quoting something one thinks to oneself, and thus can be translated as think.
Here: "For me, it seemed like the beginning of a sort of -- what shall I say -spiritual suicide."
? ( 15)
Pattern: -() [LIT.] granted that, even though it is or does [often followed by a
rhetorical question]. Here the verb is the copula -, with the -- dropped after
the final vowel of .
Here: "Do I know everything?"

31

 . ( 15)
Pattern: Mild surprise form in -().
Here: Oh, look -- here comes Myngil."
. ( 15)
Pattern:

the

moment/instant

one

does

it;

as

soon

as

...;

no

sooner had one done it, than ... ; just when ...
Here: the moment [Myngil] stroke into the yard, the dogs all started barking in
unison
.

15)
Pattern: -()/- () - not to know/be unaware that it is ... . Note also () as many as, as much (showing that the speaker finds the

number to

be more than expected).

Here: because they hadn't barked I had no idea there were so many of them, but they
said there some twenty of them
, , .
( 15)
Pattern: naked infinitives in -() (, ). Note also the causative pattern
in - - make do; let do; have do. When the causee is marked with or ,
as here, the best translation is let do; have do.
Here: the old man came out and had Hae-il help his younger brother unload the
leftovers buckets from the truck
Page 16
( 16)
Pattern: -()/- judging from the fact that ... ; judging by how ...
Here: judging by the way he was taking out feed from the sack
.

16)
Pattern: -() ... -() () - cant tell/discern whether ....
Here: it was hard to distinguish whether the specks of white on the distant mountains

32

where wild cherries or rocks

... ( 16)
Pattern: -() VERBing is somehow awkard; somehow it feels odd or

weird to VERB. Note also -() -()[ ] just at the moment

when one was getting ready to ... ; just as one is fixing to ... ; just as one is getting
ready to ... ; just when one is about to ...
Here: it seemed somehow odd to just sit on the wooden platform so I was just about
to stand up when ...
. .

16)
Pattern: Double negative in - - could/can not but; could/can not help

... -ing.
Here: the old mad came over to the wooden platform and sat down. I couldn't help
but leap to my feet.
. ( 16)
Pattern: , where particle means toward/to (a person or an

animate thing). The emphasizes the directionality.

Here: the old man handed the bottle of makklli to me and ordered [me to pour him
a drink]
. ? ( 16)
Pattern: apperceptive (First Realization) - well I see ... ! well so it is ... ! so it

seems!

well Ill be (damned), hey look! etc. Note also - -, the "tsk-

tsk" pattern in plain base + -() meaning 1) what to mean by what you just

said? (using -()? to quote back and query somebody's words), or 2) to think
that ... !; just imagine!, can you believe it?!, whooda thunk that?! In this example we
have the first usage.
Here: "Everybody's making me into a t'osi." "What do you mean, 'making you into a
't'osi'?"
Page 17
. (
17)

33

Pattern: -() () ever since ...-ing.

Here: ever since I had left my hometown, I had never used the word 't'osi' instead of

pabo for 'fool'.

() . (
17)
Pattern: = even though I may look like this. For a similar
spelling convention, cf. = .
Here: "I might not look like much, but I went all the way to Burma during the Pacific
War and made it back alive."
. ( 17)
Pattern: = , the lowest equivalent of retroflexive self, where the options are
(in order of speech level, from highest to lowest): , and in the singular,
and , and in the plural.
Here: "The year before last Andy's mom came over when her father died."
. ( 17)
Pattern: -() () after ...-ing; ever since ...-ing. The word () is a
fancier, somewhat more literary equivalent to just (), and in the mouth of an
elderly person, as here, sounds old-fashioned.
Here: "Ever since she came, I became deaf."
,
. ( 17)
Pattern: -: provided that, if/when (usually followed by command, suggestion, or
promise). Note also , the semi-formal () style indicative assertive of the
defective verb and means Please give; please (demand or request to an inferior).
Here: "When you get back to the States, tell Andy and Tammy to come see their
granddad one more time before he dies."
, . ( 17)
Pattern: -: provided that, if/when (usually followed by

command,

suggestion, or promise).
Here: "When you get back to the US and are done raising your kids, come live here
in Tumulmri."

34

Page 18
. ( 18)
Pattern: -. Placing the after - forces the "and [then]..." reading of -, as
opposed to the "and [also]..." reading. In other words, it means "when..., ...then; upon
doing," but emphasizing the consequence.
Here: with those final parting words, the old man went back inside the house
. ( 18)
Pattern: Familiar Style command in -. This style (indicative , suggestion ,
question , command , retrospective statement , retrospective question
and optional -() for the copula and adjectives (-, ), is used only
among grown-ups, e.g., by a senior addressing a grown-up junior or between grown-up
social equals, and is typically

used by parents-in-law addressing their sons-in-law, or

by a male supervisor to a male supervisee. It is widely used among adult male friends
who are not close enough to use the intimate style, and less widely by (or to) women.
To make a Familiar style apperceptive (equivalent to -, - , etc. in other
styles), you add - or - to -.
Here: "You're one year older than Kug-il, so please take good care of him."

35